Tale of surfer's salvation makes a great family DVD

Based on a true story, The Perfect Wavetells the story of a young surfer dude by the name of Ian McCormack, a New Zealander who seeks the ultimate wave experience. The film had a limited release in theaters earlier this year and comes to DVD this week. In the movie, Ian sells his car and, despite his parents’ misgivings, travels the world’s beaches seeking not just the perfect wave, but that moment that comes closest to “touching eternity.”

During his subculture sojourn, he develops friendships and experiences young love with a beautiful but troubled free spirit. Just before he returns home, he is badly injured and has a near-death experience that has a life-changing effect on him.

The sea-and-surf movie genre often uses surfing as a metaphor for life. The Endless Summer, Soul Surfer, and Chasing Mavericks are all about young people finding themselves, distinguishing themselves, and seeking life’s true meaning. The Perfect Wave addresses those themes, plus one more.

The film is well-acted by Scott Eastwood, son of—you guessed it—Clint Eastwood, plus performances by Rachel Hendrix from October Baby and Cheryl Ladd from Charlie’s Angels. The worldwide locations are beautifully photographed, and the storyline is completely engrossing.

But perhaps the most significant element to this production is the representation of the importance of prayer. A devoutly religious mother continues to pray for her son despite his rejection of church and his disbelief in God. She has lived a life that acknowledges and reveres God and makes sure her son knows a most important truth.

The film is a reminder of the value of praying for others despite the seeming lack of results. This film reveals the spiritual payoff for a lifetime of prayer. Ian didn’t believe in the sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ. Then, he did. And after that fateful night, he became a minister. In the past 29 years, he’s told his story of conversion to more than 60 million people.

The Perfect Wave was produced in South Africa and is being released by Anchor Bay Entertainment. It’s rated PG for mature subject matter. Scenes from the lead character’s early life show parties and bikini-clad girls, but the film implies more than it shows. By film’s end, you’ll be reminded of the Bible’s answer to unanswered prayers found in Luke 11:10: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.”

Listen to clips from The Perfect Wave and hear Phil Boatwright’s review on The World and Everything in It:

Watch the official trailer: